News Archive - Progress Newsletter Spring 2001 Online

Dr. Joe Gets Love Letters

Once a month, Joe Graziano, M.D., walks over from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital,
where he is a pediatric cardiology fellow, and sits down at
the baby grand piano in the Cancer Center. For one hour, from
12:30 to 1:30 p.m., "Dr. Joe" is the featured performer for
the Healing Arts program's Music Mondays. Strains of his light
jazz carry over to patients, their families and staff, and
move them beyond the limits of their day-to-day experiences.
Dr. Joe's music has the ability to convey relaxation and healing
directly to the hearts of his listeners.

One case in point is a patient who was leaving
the Infusion Center after treatment. As she neared the elevators
to take her down to Level B2 and parking, she heard the music.
It pulled her toward the Pharmacy area. She sat and listened.
Then, not wanting to interrupt, she wrote a note and placed
it on top of the piano. "I'm not feeling very well but you
have truly made my day."

Research tells us that music can change physiological
states. Music helps slow the heartbeat and warm the hands.
It allows one to breathe deeply and release body tension.
Benefits of music also include decreased perception of pain
and increased tolerance and endurance for procedures such
as chemotherapy. Music also reduces nausea, fatigue and emotional
distress.

Dr. Joe, who grew up in New York City, began
playing the piano at age 12 and studied with a famous jazz
musician. He says that he loves playing in the Cancer Center
because he enjoys watching people's reactions to his music.
Sometimes the applause comes from Dr. Joe's cardiology buddies
and his wife, Kathy, a U-M surgery resident. No matter who
is in the audience, everyone says they wish they could sit
and listen for the entire hour.